Would you buy a new M9 in 2012??

[Harry S.]

Hello,

I really want an M9. Well, more specifically a digital M camera with a full frame sensor. I'm aware of some of the hang-ups that some people have highlighted about this camera (high ISO, battery woes etc.) but have decided I'm willing to live with the short comings.

Im sick of using a DSLR. I like my X100 but would love to use my M lenses, (with their native FOV) and am no longer interested in using film. M9 is the only option at this point.

The crux of my question is this: Is it foolish to buy an M9 or M9-P now, 3 years into its product cycle? Will a new M camera be released that will make it obsolete within 6 months?

M-9 owners; are you happy with your cameras?

Regards,
Harry.

 

[Boherk]

Personally I'd suggest you wait until after September to buy a M-9, or wait into the M-10 product cycle depending on if they release the release dates in September.

You will see the market flood to an extent with M-9 users looking to upgrade to M-10s when the camera is eventually released as well, I'd suggest this would be the best time to buy.

 

[raid]

I agree with this recommendation. I am trying out the M8 first.

 

[Peter S]

I am extremely happy with my M9 (2 years old) and do not see myself upgrading in the near future (even if I would have the money for it). Quality of the files is excellent. Why don't you wait till Photokina and see whether they announce the M10 and then pray for second hand M9 prices to drop a bit or decide to buy a M10 and maybe start saving (or not).

Had not picked up my camera for a while (long hours at work) and took it with me to my father in laws 85th birthday this weekend. Took 28 pictures, 4 absolute keepers en 2 that are close to being keepers. The fact that I was not pushing a bazooka in the guests' faces and that I was able to see what was happening outside the frame and be ready to press the shutter when somebody walked into the frame etc. was key to the relatively high amount of keepers.

 

[jsrockit]

I would only buy one used for $5000 or less. You'd be crazy to buy one new for $8000 with the M10 on the horizon. Honestly, I would try a M8 first. The crop factor is a lot better than most cameras being 1.33x.

 

[furcafe]

The consensus is that the M10 will be announced @ Photokina next month, but given Leica's track record, that means the actual cameras will not be available for another 6 months.

Since you already know what you're getting into, I offer no opinion as to whether it's "foolish" to get an M9 or M9-P. Whether it's a working tool or a toy, it's your money & photography. Like Boherk, I would recommend just waiting a couple months to see how much the M10 announcement affects used M9 prices & then picking up a good used M9 (unless you know a dealer who can get you a deal on a new one).

Hello,

I really want an M9. Well, more specifically a digital M camera with a full frame sensor. I'm aware of some of the hang-ups that some people have highlighted about this camera (high ISO, battery woes etc.) but have decided I'm willing to live with the short comings.

Im sick of using a DSLR. I like my X100 but would love to use my M lenses, (with their native FOV) and am no longer interested in using film. M9 is the only option at this point.

The crux of my question is this: Is it foolish to buy an M9 or M9-P now, 3 years into its product cycle? Will a new M camera be released that will make it obsolete within 6 months?

M-9 owners; are you happy with your cameras?

Regards,
Harry.

 

[thegman]

Wait for Photokina, if an M10 is announced, lots of people will want to offload their M9s. Sometimes you *need* a camera for a job, vacation or whatever, but if you can wait, wait.

 

[boomguy57]

The questions really seems rhetorical...are you looking for someone to talk you out of it to save the boatload of money it would cost? There are myriad reasons, but you know them all.

Or are you searching for confirmation of a decision that seems to have been made already?

You know the pros and cons. You know your own budget. For me, I'd take the $5000 (if you can get it that cheap) and do other stuff with it. If I needed a new camera, there are tons of options. I think most of us who use M lenses have been seduced by the M9 at some point, but quite frankly the price is so outrageous that you have to be in a far higher income bracket than myself or just have a higher tolerance for pain. You can get the X-Pro 1 with all the lenses, bells, and whistles and still have a good $2-3k left over (if you're looking at used M9s) to go on a trip, save for your kids' college, pay down your mortgage, etc etc.

Ultimately, the financial aspect kills the M9 for me, and many others. But only you know your finances and pain threshold.

 

[dave lackey]

This is a common misconception to ask whether one should buy an M9 now. Is it going to take outdated photos? No. Is it going to be significantly cheaper? Depends on the anticipated much higher price of the M10 and what your wallet thinks is significantly cheaper.

The reason the question is misconstrued is the overall viewpoint of what one wants in a camera...if it is to buy, sell, buy something else, sell ...continually throwing money away while replacing an M9 with the latest and greatest...then the money lost on all the gear over time is a function of the mentality of getting something new every year or two.

If the mentality is of getting a camera and keeping it indefinitely (much like I do), then the cost is fixed. The M9, if I could afford it, would be a fine camera for me for the rest of my life. There is no reason for me to replace an excellent camera.

And there is the mentality of everybody in-between. At the end of the day, does the OP want to keep the camera and spend a lifetime learning how to master it, or is it just a temporary fix for gear lust?😛

I will soldier on with my 1951 IIIF, my 1961 M3 and the used X1 that I finally finished paying for... wish I could afford an M9 but, two tears in a bucket for me.🙂 Happiness dwells here, regardless.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Is it a mistake to wait forever?

As others say, even if there is an M10, what will availability be like?

Yes, I'm very happy with my M9.

Cheers,

R.

 

[roboflick]

I am going to go against the tide and recommend that you buy a new one, your sensor will be covered for 3 years, which is a plus. I bought mine new in May and have enjoyed the summer with it. The m10 will not be widely available until next summer. I am glad that I bought mine. Try a european dealer, you might save some money through a low euro and vat refund, which is what i did while in Paris


Nik

 

[jsrockit]

The reason the question is misconstrued is the overall viewpoint of what one wants in a camera...if it is to buy, sell, buy something else, sell ...continually throwing money away while replacing an M9 with the latest and greatest...then the money lost on all the gear over time is a function of the mentality of getting something new every year or two.

Dave, please remember that many of us digital users view the money lost on digital camera depreciation as similar to film and processing costs. Also, sometimes we buy low and sell high.

In the 1 year that I had my M9, I took over 10,000 images. That's 277 rolls without porcessing (at $4.00 a color roll). With decent processing, we are looking at about half that. I lost $2000 on my sale after using it for a year. $2000 for say, cheap film and processing ($10), would be about 200 rolls.

Also, what does it matter if we buy and sell. Most of us that do have our main cameras and trying other things is always fun. There is no one right way to do things.

 

[dave lackey]

Dave, please remember that many of us digital users view the money lost on digital camera depreciation as similar to film and processing costs. Also, sometimes we buy low and sell high.

In the 1 year that I had my M9, I took over 10,000 images. That's 277 rolls without porcessing (at $4.00 a color roll). With decent processing, we are looking at about half that. I lost $2000 on my sale after using it for a year. $2000 for say, cheap film and processing ($10), would be about 200 rolls.

Also, what does it matter if we buy and sell. Most of us that do have our main cameras and trying other things is always fun. There is no one right way to do things.

Ah, John, you misread or I mis-communicated (probably the right answer)... the OP asked for opinions. My opinion is that there are three positions within the "bell curve" of buyers. Buy and sell often, Keep a long time, or somewhere in between. No need for anyone to take a position of "right or wrong" on this. Just a fact of life. The old distribution curve.

Everybody is different and that is fine. I just hate it when people go into a buying decision with eyes wide shut.

Asking for opinions is exactly that. We are all different but the facts are what they are... I have no judgment on any of that.

Except to say what works for me:

Life is shorter than you think... be happy. I don't plan on being here next year, but that's just me.

 

[jsrockit]

Ah, John, you misread or I mis-communicated (probably the right answer)... the OP asked for opinions. My opinion is that there are three positions within the "bell curve" of buyers. Buy and sell often, Keep a long time, or somewhere in between. No need for anyone to take a position of "right or wrong" on this. Just a fact of life. The old distribution curve.

Everybody is different and that is fine. I just hate it when people go into a buying decision with eyes wide shut.

Asking for opinions is exactly that. We are all different but the facts are what they are... I have no judgment on any of that.

Except to say what works for me:

Life is shorter than you think... be happy. I don't plan on being here next year, but that's just me.

Hey no offense Dave. Sorry if I sounded upset, I wasn't. Just giving the other side of the coin ... 😀 I think you know by now that I'm not very good at tact. 😉 I'm trying to learn it.

 

[Richard G]

Bought my silver M9-P in March. Couldn't be happier. My M2 has been superseded by 7 subsequent models, only one of which I might still want to add. The M10 won't put me out at all. Happy shooting.

But right now I too might have waited.

 

[laskadog]

I asked myself the same question and my answer was no. The M10 will only be available in 2013 and will cost an arm and a leg. If you wait, you might see a slight drop in used M9 prices but probably not very much. As of now, only 20% of M9 users are planning an upgrade (see poll) but probably more are waiting to pounce on used M9s. In any case, even if it falls in value by $500, you'll have had almost a year's usage out of it. If you keep waiting you'll never get one. Being 3 years into the production run, all the quirks have been worked out and lemons have been fixed. Can't say that for the. The M9 is an awesome camera and you'll not regret it. That being said, the M8 is also a great camera if you don't mind a little more noise (ISO and Shutter) and the crop factor.

 

[dave lackey]

Hey no offense Dave. Sorry if I sounded upset, I wasn't. Just giving the other side of the coin ... 😀 I think you know by now that I'm not very good at tact. 😉 I'm trying to learn it.

You did not sound upset...it sounded like I screwed up what I wrote and I did.😀 We are both on the same page...

Still waitin' on your travels bringing you to Atlanta! Doesn't look feasible for me to travel north even though I would love it!🙂

 

[jsrockit]

Still waitin' on your travels bringing you to Atlanta! Doesn't look feasible for me to travel north even though I would love it!🙂

Dave, I'd love to get down there and see some of those lovely places you photograph. It might be awhile though. I'm going to Japan in two months and that's going to cost some coin. However, Japan is a dream trip for me. That said, I would love to take a nice road trip down the east cost one of these years.

 

[dave lackey]

Dave, I'd love to get down there and see some of those lovely places you photograph. It might be awhile though. I'm going to Japan in two months and that's going to cost some coin. However, Japan is a dream trip for me. That said, I would love to take a nice road trip down the east cost one of these years.

My best recommendation to the OP is, seriously,

Life is shorter than you think, enjoy yourself!

And, John, if ya need help with the luggage, I don't eat much and I don't speak Japanese but, I'm just sayin'....😛

Speaking of Photokina, what other products are expected to be announced on that glorious September day?🙂 Given that they will be a long time before purchase is actually feasible, I would get the new M9 myself! It should become a classic in itself.

 

[Roger Hicks]

At Arles, Stefan Daniel said it would be one of their most important photokinas in a very long time. But that was all: no detail.

Cheers,

R.